By MIKE EBONUGWO

Leaders and elders of Umunwosibe kindred in Umuobuna, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have angrily dismissed a recent newspaper report about their ancestry and history which they described as a false narrative concocted and fabricated by some mischievous persons to deceive the public.

Speaking under the aegis of Umunwosibe Vanguard, the aggrieved community leaders said given the gravity of the distortion and misrepresentation of their history in the said report, it has become necessary to set the record straight. So, in a statement signed by Apostle Michael Udeh, Elder Sunday Onu; Elder Kingsley Obasi Ngene (Bash), and Chief Ogbonnaya Obasi, among others, they had explained thus:

“Umunwosibe are descendants of Nwosibe, the eldest son of the progenitor or ancestral father of Umuobuna, Omata Evi. Nwosibe, being the eldest of the four sons of Omata Evi, took care of their father very well and their father blessed him from the depth of his heart.

“Due to the swampy nature of their main compound, Ibe Nwiyi, Nwosibe built a house for their father at a place now known as Ibe Omata Evi where their younger brother Ngwuta stayed with their father and took care of him.

“It was necessary to move their father to Ibe Omata Evi because he was old and was being affected by the cold and damp nature of Ibe Nwiyi. The new compound built for him (Ibe Omata Evi) was upland and warm compared to the humid nature of their main compound, Ibe Nwiyi.

“When their father, Omata Evi died, he was buried in the house he lived which was built for him by his eldest son, Nwosibe, and this is the reason the place is called Ibe Omata Evi till date. Umunwosibe consists of descendants of Nwosibe while Umuokpara,

Umungwuta and Umunjoko are descendants of Okpara, Ngwuta and Njoku respectively.

“The history of Umuobuna village which has been transferred from generation to generation through sound and detailed oral tradition till this present day asserts that Nwosibe, Okpara, Ngwuta and Njoku were four brothers from the same parents. The four brothers lived in peace and harmony with one another.

“They were great warriors, hunters and farmers in their time and that was the reason why they took up strategic entry locations into Umuobuna with Nwosibe the eldest son occupying the first compound at Ibe Nwiyi which is the border location between Umuobuna and Amenu village, while Okpara, the second son, built his compound at a border location at the entry point from Umuaneketa village in a place now known as Ibe Orienta; Ngwuta the third son was asked to stay close to their aged father, Omata Eve at the time to take care of him and Njoku, the last son, built his compound at another border location with Umuegwuoke village at a place now known as Onu Ogwu Njoku.

“Umuobuna is a peaceful village which has in the past and present time produced brave warriors who fought gallantly to defend the entire Uburu during inter community wars in years past. This was the reason why the title of Oke Nwa Uburu and Ekwe Eburu was conferred on Umuobuna by the entire Uburu Adu Kingdom.

“Within Umuwosibe kindred there are also four families that descended from Nwosibe. They are Umuchita, Umwegunwegwu, Umuoti and Omuegwunwigwe. These families have metamorphosed into different dynasties in Umuobuna with great men and women who have contributed to bringing Umuobuna and Uburu to the limelight. Umunwosibe is the most populous kindred in Umuobuna with prominent sons and daughters who are doing very well locally, nationally and internationally.

“Umunwosibe kindred are known for being friendly and peace loving, using their population and wealth to promote love and unity in Umuobuna and Uburu as handed down by their great patriarch, Nwosibe, a great man of peace, valour, honour and influence in his time.

“It is noteworthy that Umunwosibe has diverse and accomplished sons and daughters who are performing exceptionally well in various fields like public service, civil service, commerce and industry, agriculture and academia, among others. And this shows the strength, character and the sound foundation laid by the fathers and forefathers of Umunwosibe kindred.

“The fact that Umunwosibe is spread across continents, having her sons and daughters in different parts of the world fostering cultural exchange and creating opportunities for growth and development on an international scale demonstrates their global presence and influence.

“With vibrant, promising and responsible youths, Umunwosibe is undoubtedly nurturing leaders and trailblazers of tomorrow. Their dynamism and determination to show leadership in Umuobuna, Uburu and beyond speak well for the future success of the kindred and the positive impacts they have on their community and beyond.

“Recognising the responsibilities before it as the elder brother, the pacesetter, the trailblazer and peace maker(before, now and always), Umunwosibe is encouraging all their sons and daughters, all over the world, to always maintain peace with one another, and sons and daughters of their younger siblings, Umuokpara, Umungwuta and Umunjoku and to continue to defend the pride and honour of their great patriarch, Nwosibe, at all times.”